National Suicide Prevention

Throughout the US September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The intent of this month is to help promote awareness surrounding suicide prevention resources available in our communities.

According to the CDC, more than 41,000 people die by suicide each year, in addition, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 and the 10th leading cause of death nation-wide. Locally, the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force is working to change this. Chester County’s task force has certified more than 1,350 people in the suicide prevention course QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer). This course teaches everyday people the skills to recognize warning signs in others and will no doubt save lives.

Suicide and mental illness remain topics that are seen as too taboo to speak about publicly and even privately, which is why we are asking our community members to take the time to reach out to those in need and help spread the message that suicide is not the answer.